It therefore provides a much higher degree of protection. The Argonne team points out that this coating, which is applied on the cathode using an oxidative chemical vapor deposition process, not only covers the surface of a cathode particle but also penetrates deep into its interior.

PEDOT has many benefits compared with other coating solutions. At the same time, PEDOT does not impede the flow of lithium ions and electrons that is essential to the battery’s operation. PEDOT, which contains sulfur, acts as a barrier between the cathode and the electrolyte to thwart unwanted reactions. During the research, the team first took micron-sized particles of a nickel-manganese-cobalt (NMC) cathode material that is developed in-house and then encapsulated them with a highly conductive polymer known as PEDOT. The Argonne team has been focusing on strengthening the protective coating of the battery cathode because improvements in this area can address numerous performance and stability issues. Scientists are now working to overcome these challenges in addition to extending the battery lifecycle. On other hand, LIBs also have glaring shortcomings, including flammable electrolyte and cathode susceptible to heat-induced degradation. Their leading position in the energy storage market are based on advantages such as higher energy density, wider operating temperature range, and no memory effect. LIBs are now seen as the heart of consumer electronic devices and electric vehicles. Recently, a team of scientists at the Argonne National Laboratory in the US has discovered a type of coating that not only deters the adverse chemical reactions between the cathode and the electrolyte but also prevents the cathode from releasing oxygen during the cycling of the battery. Protective coating for the battery electrodes constitutes a major aspect of the ongoing efforts to improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs).

Argonne nmc cathode